church to the buckboard. “You can tie your horse to the back and ride with me.” “Thank you. I’ll be right back.” She climbed up onto the seat, took the reins and waited for him. She saw the Wilson sisters standing on the porch of the church staring at her. She sure was thankful Brett showed up. “You want me to drive or do you want to?” “You can if you like,” she said, scooting over on the seat to give him room. When he sat beside her, she handed him the reins. “We have to go through town that way to get home.” “I noticed it’s a pretty good sized town when I rode in.” “It’s grown over the past couple years. When my Pa came here, there was only a mercantile, a saloon, and a stable.” “So you grew up here?” “Yes.” “You don’t sound like you like it here very much.” Mindy leaned back against the seat and tried to relax. “It’s not that. It’s just been hard since Pa died a year ago. The men don’t want to take orders from a woman and some of them have gotten out of hand.” “With you?” “Yes, and drinking. My pa never would have tolerated that, but since he died…” “Well, we’ll take care of that. You’ve got me now and I demand respect and respect for my wife too.” She smiled. “I hope we can share the decisions about the ranch. Pa always talked to me about things, even though he made the final decisions.” “If that’s how you want it, then that’s the way it will be.” “Thank you. I know we didn’t have much time to get to know each other through our letters and I am hoping we can take the time to get acquainted before…” She felt her face heat with another blush. That was the problem with being fair skinned. She blushed easily and when she did, it showed. Brett chuckled. “I married you today and I expect to sleep with my bride. I told you that in my letters.” “Yes, you did. I was just hoping…” “Not a chance, Mindy. I want a real marriage from the start and I want children.” “I know that’s what you said. I don’t mean to be belligerent,” she said, when he held the reins in one hand and put his arm around her and pulled her close. “We are married until death do us part. I want a willing wife, a home, and a family. I thought we suited from our letters and that’s why I answered yours instead of the others.” ‘You had others vying for your hand in marriage?” “I did, but your letters captured my heart.” She didn’t answer him and wondered why he felt like that when she didn’t. “I didn’t have anyone else to choose from.” Brett glanced at her. “I can’t see why not. You are a very beautiful woman and any man would be proud to call you wife.” “Thank you.” “I’m only stating a fact.” She watched him out of the corner of her eye, wondering why he even bothered to answer her letters. She found herself boring. She worked hard day in and day out, but she didn’t have a bubbly personality or anything. She was a plain Jane as her pa always used to tease her. She jumped when he nudged her. “What?” “I asked if you needed to stop anywhere for supplies or anything before we head out of town.” “Um, no.” She didn’t know what else to say. She had